Randy’s Stocking Cap Pattern

This is a variation on Schwartz’ Stocking Cap, changing the colors to match Randy’s cap (“How does the piggy go?”) and to make it larger for a grown-up’s head. If you want to make it for a kid, just cast on the number of sts for Schwartz’ cap (76 sts) and if you want to make Schwartz’ cap for an adult, CO 94 sts.

Randy’s Stocking Cap
(adult sized)

Materials
1 skein each Lion Brand Wool-Ease Grey, Navy & Maroon (or any worsted yarn in those colors)
#7 40″ circular needles (or dpns if you don’t Magic Loop)
darning needle
pom pom maker or piece of cardboard

Gauge
18 sts x 24 rows = 4″ in stockinette

Note
Adding rows between decreases will make the hat longer. I decreased every 6 rows for the adult hat, 4 rows for the kid hat. The adult hat is VERY long, hitting a 6’4″ man at his rump. Change the number of rows in between decreases for longer or shorter hats.

I knit this in the round using the Magic Loop method. It could as easily be knit using dpns.

I also used the ‘jogless jog‘ when changing colors.

Pattern
CO 94 sts with Grey.
Work in 1×1 rib (K1, P1) for 3″ (20 rows).

*Switch to stockinette and K 10 rows.
Change to Blue. K 10 rows.
Change to Maroon. K 10 rows*

Color changes continue at these intervals for rest of hat.

Approximately 10″ into hat, depending on size of head being knit for, decrease every 6 rows. At beginning of decrease round, K2TOG, K to last 2 sts, SSK. Continue decreasing until 6 sts remain. Break yarn & weave through remaining sts.

Make pom pom with all three yarns (TIP: hold one strand of all three yarns together when winding the pom pom for them to mix randomly) and attach to tip of hat. Weave in loose ends and do Randy proud. And trust me, Daddy’s not gonna kill Ralphie.

Schwartz’ Stocking Cap Pattern

No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth — just got all wrapped up in my own stuff and couldn’t find the energy to post. Funny the ebbs and floods of blogging. Some months you’re all over it, others you can’t stand the thought of it.

So, to make up for being such a slacker, I’d like to present the most adorable and gracious model a knitwear designer (cough cough) could have: LIAM!

Liam is the 5-year-old son of my knitting buddy Lori and does this kid know his knitting! He knows what a drop spindle is, how it works, what kind of yarn mom likes best and is just a bright little bulb. When asked what he thought of the cap, he said “It’s good.” Oh yeaaah!

He kindly agreed to show off the Schwartz’ Stocking Cap I designed — yes, I designed something! — based on the cap the smart-mouthed Schwartz wore in the best Christmas movie ever: A Christmas Story.

This particular hat is kid-sized and it fit Liam perfectly. I’m sure he’d be able to comfortably wear it for a few more years. Luckily he lives in Cali and there’s little need for such amazingly long caps here.

As promised awhile ago, here’s the finished pattern for . . .

Schwartz’ Stocking Cap
(kid sized)
[Randy's Stocking Cap is the adult sized version]

Materials
1 skein each Lion Brand Wool-Ease Brown, White, Red & Gold (or any worsted yarn in those colors)
#7 40″ circular needles (or dpns if you don’t Magic Loop)
darning needle
pom pom maker or piece of cardboard

Gauge
18 sts x 24 rows = 4″ in stockinette

Note
I knit this in the round using the Magic Loop method. It could as easily be knit using dpns.

I also used the ‘jogless jog‘ when changing colors.

Pattern
CO 76 sts with Brown.
Work in 1×1 rib (K1, P1) for 2″ (15 rows).

*Change to White. K 6 rows in stockinette (rest of hat is stockinette).
Change to Red. K 9 rows.
Change to Gold. K 17 rows.
Change to Red. K 9 rows.
Change to White. K 6 rows. (Edited to add this missing band of color)
Change to Brown. K 4 rows.*

Color changes continue at these intervals for rest of hat.

Approximately 10-12″ into hat, depending on size of head being knit for, decrease every 4 rows. At beginning of decrease round, K2TOG, K to last 2 sts, SSK. Continue decreasing until 6 sts remain. Break yarn & weave through remaining sts.

Make pom pom with Brown & Gold yarn and attach to tip of hat. Weave in loose ends and do Schwartz proud. I triple dog dare you!